History of a Kentish Village - Halstead

How lucky we are to live in a village and yet be so near to the centre of London! Our local historian, Geoffrey Kitchener in his book "Millennial Halstead" explains the origins of Halstead and it is thought that there has been a settlement here, albeit very small, for many hundreds of years. Like much of Kent many different peoples have travelled through the county from different parts of Europe and in a few cases they stayed and left their mark.

Evidence has been found of Palaeolithic hunters who left a flint hand axe, a prehistoric trackway, a Roman floor, roof tiles and pottery fragments and then a mention in the Textus Roffensis (dated about 1115) of a church in "Haltestede".

Our village remained small for many hundreds of years and even now only has a population of about 2000 people. There are several old flint cottages in the centre of the village and still one or two large houses of historical interest.

The Church has items of interest from the original Church, that was in the grounds of Halstead Place as well as items such as The Rectors Board and the Millennium Mosaic that perhaps will become part of our history in the future. The old church yard can still be visited by using the public footpath from Church Road. In the centre of the village is a new village sign made to commemorate the Millennium and depicting four different aspects of Halstead.

For more information about Halstead you can purchase a copy of Geoffrey Kitcheners book "Millennial Halstead" through St. Margaret's Churchwardens (check for details on the Church website www.halstead-church.org).

Or visit the church and pick up a brief historical leaflet on St. Margaret's history.

Or call in at The Rose & Crown pub to see the very interesting collection (over 160) of old photos of the village and village people.